As many as 13 bogies of the train skidded off the track. Major tragedy was averted as the train was moving at a slow pace. Railway officials says that the accident was caused by a crack in the track.
Rail traffic in Kerala was thrown out of gear after Thiruvananthapuram-Mangalore Express derailed at Karukutty near Angamali in Ernakulam early morning on Sunday. A major tragedy was averted as the train was moving at a slow pace.
As many as 13 compartments of the train skidded off the track at around 2.15 AM. Though a few passengers suffered minor injuries, they were let off after giving first aid.
The Railway officials suspect that the accident was caused by a crack in the track. The tracks were completely damaged in the accident, but luckily, the bogies did not overturn, averting a tragedy.
Railway Additional General Manager PK Mishra, who visited the site of the accident on Sunday morning, dismissed the possibility of sabotage. A crack in the track must have resulted in the accident. A damaged bogie could also have caused the mishap, he said.
The rail traffic between Thrissur and Thiruvananthapuram was badly affected due to the accident. As many as 22 trains were cancelled and five trains rescheduled. The Railway has announced that special trains will operate between Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam. Kerala State Road Transport Corporation is operating more services to alleviate the traffic problem.
The Railway has also ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident. Two helpline numbers have also opened. 0471-2320012, 0471-2429241
